Corporal Punishment In Schools

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29017, 5 October 1959, Page 14

Corporal Punishment In Schools

Sir,—“Parent-Teacher’s” picturesque dramatisation of the problem calls for comment. Of course the age of Dr. Johnson was a brutal one, but though material circumstances have improved, can the same be said for character? Children then may have enjoyed the spectacle of bear-baiting, but pelting a seal with stones on a New Zealand beach seems hardly more humane. Children then stole bread to allay hunger, but did not rob milk bottles of pennies confessedly “to buy lollies.” No eighteenth century case is on record of children murdering each other for reor just fun—a

purely twentieth-century juvenile development. Does “ParentTeacher” seriously believe that anyone inflicting temporary pain on a rude or disobedient brat is extracting some sexual satisfaction from the process? If not, she had better look up “sadist” in a dictionary and use it in future with more knowledge and discretion. —Yours, etc., I.S.T. October 2, 1959. Sir,—Do the critics of corporal punishment realise how many props have already been kicked jut from underneath our school ystem? Rewards, dux medals, prizes, publication of places in the lass forbidden; competition canned from the classroom; aodern reports are deliberately . ague, and criticism of the child forbidden; promotion by merit eplaced by age promotion; future nonetary gain not obvious; corporal punishment, detention, lomework all frowned on. This .eaves only two approved incentives: the child’s inner urge to learn (.often lacking) and the genius of the teacher to make learning attractive —‘Speling can bee phun!” Admittedly; but I, and most of those I know who actually teach, as opposed to administrative theorists, would welcome an intelligent use of all the above incentives to better school work, even if by so doing we confess that our skill is not equal to the task unaided. —Yours, etc., TEACHER-PARENT. October 1, 1959.

Sir, —Avril Erown now admits that corporal punishment is not a method of learning. “1.5. T. claims, unrealistically, but none the less forcibly, that it is. “Corporal punishment can be part of an organised system, of valuesteaching ‘visible’ to young children.” Really! Fear of corporal punishment will make children behave—while someone is standing over them with a big stick. It is, however, hard to do this 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. We all know what happens when the pressure is taken off. Whoopee! So much for “moral education.” The only w r ay to teach moral responsibility is, of course, by example—loving example. Tailpiece! Why drag in Stockholm? We can see quite enough teddy boys, louts, bodgies, etc., in the Square on a Saturday night— Yours, etc., PARENT-TEACHER. October 2, 1959.

Sir, —This is one of many controversial topics and much can be argued and reasoned both for and against it. Regarding delinquents; my observation and reading lead me to the conclusion that the great majority have suffered from corporal punishment. My observation also leads me to believe that the children who are tor apparently need to be) strapped at school come from homes where strapping is the accepted form of discipline. It appears we have much to learn, and open minds are needed for such a task. Avril Brown does her cause a disservice by mixing her opinions with childish outbursts directed to the Parents’ Centre This chip on her shoulder could seriously prejudice her powers of logic. I wonder how she would attack Samuel Butler for his views on education and the adverse affect of corporal punishment?—Yours, etc.,

WILLING TO LEARN. October 2, 1959.

Sir,—As a class-teacher, I administer corporal punishment to children for insolence and for gross disobedience. People who object to their children being whacked have the remedy in their own hands. In the normal classroom today’, a well-mannered and obedient child does not work under the constant fear of suffering physical violence. If they consider the classroom or school situation to be other than satisfactory in any instance, parents concerned should make personal or written representations o the proper authorities. In the iresent year of grace in this iearl of the Pacific, from almost my large school a group of pupils ould be selected which, if placed tnder the charge of an advocate f no corporal punishment, would ;ause the said advocate to change us or her mind about the mater in a surprisingly short time. -Yours, etc., TO YOUR LASTS, COBBLERS. October 1, 1959.